Dev On a Charge

84-years-young and recently having set up his own Bollywood production house in Scotland, Dev Anand continues to charge forward in life with his latest murder mystery thriller Chargesheet, which will star Jackie Shroff.

Dev will direct and produce the film which also introduces some newcomers, and he’s pleased about that. “I always stood for newcomers. I think there is immense talent in our country that needs to be tapped. We, as responsible filmmakers, should always provide them the opportunity to prove their mettle,” argues the man who introduced to us Tina Munim, Tabu and Zeenat Aman amongst others.

Dev appeared in his first film Hum Ek Hain in 1946. He soon struck up a close friendship with fellow legend Guru Dutt and the two were almost inseparable for a decade. Dev’s image of the urbane gentleman won him many famous roles including the first-class movies Paying Guest, Guide and Jewel Thief. At one stage, Dev was linked romantically with actress Suraiya, whom he once saved from drowning. However, her grandmother opposed the union – Suraiya remained unmarried for the rest of her life. “Yes. I loved Suraiya,” he confesses. “I am not shying away from this fact. I want to tell everything what happened during those days. It was a very important chapter of my life as I was growing. I was young and in love for the first time.” What a Bollywood movie that could make!